Issue - meetings

To consider the findings of the independent member of the committee findings on her section 47 investigations.

The Committee considered a report that provided an overview of Child Protection cases that had been audited between November 2010 and March 2011.

The following key issues had arisen:

Ø      Joint working – police timetables, delays in referral by schools

Ø      Drift and lack of urgency when children appeared to be in no immediate danger

Ø      Pressure on conferencing service

Ø      Timescales

An update was provided with respect to the cases outlined in the report. It was accepted that ‘drift’ had occurred in some cases and the Committee was advised that this was being addressed with individual managers where appropriate.

It was noted that delays had been caused when social workers had waited pending a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service. There was agreement that officers should liaise with the Police in order to agree a protocol that would ensure that communication with regard to cases where legal action was pending was maintained.

There was agreement that the Committee should receive a report providing an overview of how the cases undertaken during the period between November 2010 and March 2011, where there had been referrals between the Police, health and the Local Authority had progressed and a timeline of key events.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That the Committee should receive a report providing an overview of cases between November 2010 and March 2011, where there had been referrals between the Police, health and the Local Authority and how these had progressed.